Lawrie gets four games
But Jays will appeal suspension
By QMI Agency
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  Jays batter Brett Lawrie bounces his helmet in front of home plate umpire Bill Miller after being called out on strikes during ninth inning action against the Rays in Toronto on Tuesday, May 15, 2012. (Mike Cassese/Reuters)
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Major League Baseball handed a four-game suspension to Toronto Blue Jays' Brett Lawrie for his ninth-inning tirade Tuesday that saw the third baseman throw his batting helmet to the ground, hitting home plate umpire Bill Miller on his hip.
The Jays are appealing the suspension, which also comes with an undisclosed fine.
Lawrie looked at a high full-count pitch from Tampa Bay Rays closer Fernando Rodney and started trotting to first base when he realized that Miller had called him out. Lawrie had also headed toward first after the 3-1 pitch that he thought was ball four.
Miller may have thought that Lawrie was showing him up after the second strike was called and therefore did not give him the benefit of the doubt on the next pitch.
Lawrie was ejected from the game, along with Jays manager John Farrell, after both argued the call.
